TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a combined apparatus, of the "stand alone" type, for power production from discontinuous renewable sources and for the treatment of water, in particular for small powers from 1 KW to 5 KW.

The invention relates also to a method for managing a combined apparatus as outlined above.

STATE OF THE ART

Systems for power production from renewable sources of the "stand alone" type are characterized in that they are not connected to the electricity mains. In such cases the system directly produces and delivers the electricity that satisfies all energetic needs. Systems of this type are known as "Stand Alone" systems and differ from the Grid systems, which are connected to the mains. Photovoltaic and wind power systems are the most common and known among the stand alone systems. Photovoltaic systems are widely applied and widespread in road traffic signs and visual signs. The photovoltaic panel catches the sun energy in the daytime and supplies an accumulator. In the night time the accumulated power is released to supply the lamp and the electronic control system. Stand alone photovoltaic and/or wind power systems are widely used in the areas that are not reached by the electric power mains, to supply home users or small industrial users. For example, systems of this type are widely used in the distant places of the planet, or in adverse weather conditions, such as deserts, polar regions, or the like. The stand alone systems are constituted by few essential elements, described briefly later on.

The photovoltaic modules and/or wind turbines are aimed at collecting the solar energy.

The charge controller is a component that manages the produced energy. Normally, the electric power has a stabilized voltage of 12 or 24 Volt. The charge controller disconnects the photovoltaic system and/or the wind turbines from the battery, when the latter is charged and in case of low voltage (e.g. night off-peaks) or voltage returns from the battery to the panels.

Storage batteries are necessary to store the power produced by the photovoltaic modules, which are discontinuous type renewable sources, and stabilized by the charge controller, so as to allow its deferred use.

Actually, they are a chemical system for storing energy. In the conventional stand alone systems, the batteries allow the postponed use of the energy produced in a discontinuous way by photovoltaic modules, however possibility of continuous energy use 24 hours a day cannot be ensured.

Inverters are means for converting the direct current in alternating current. Output current from the inverters has normally a standard voltage of 1 10 or 220 volt to allow supplying power to the electric/electronic destination devices.

The stand alone systems are more expensive with respect to the systems connected to the electricity mains due to the batteries, which allow to postpone the power delivery with respect to its production, however, they allow having electric power available also in places not reached by the electricity mains.

On the other hand, the conventional stand alone photovoltaic and/or wind power systems are little versatile and require specific design costs each time, since all the system elements must be determined and chosen one by one, depending on the installation type, and it is necessary to analyze the way of fastening to the support structures present on the spot.

Another problem often encountered in places difficult to reach, besides the lack of electricity mains, is the lack of water network that supplies drinking water.

In such places, drinking water must be supplied by water trucks or other transport means, or it must be produced in loco by means of purification systems.

There are many types of techniques and systems used for water purification, also in regions difficult to reach. However, a big drawback of all the prior art systems is their need for continuous supply of electric power and, in many cases, of specific chemical products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a combined, stand alone type apparatus, which includes means for producing energy from renewable sources and an optimized water treatment system.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a versatile and easy-to-install combined apparatus for producing electric power and drinking water in a continuous way from discontinuous renewable sources, which is capable of using both freshwater (also in presence of polluting substances) and brackish water.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a combined apparatus for producing electric power and drinking water, which is capable of receiving and managing the power coming simultaneously from a plurality of sources of different types. A still further object of the present invention is to propose a method for managing the electric power produced by a plurality of sources of different types.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned and other objects are obtained by a combined apparatus for producing electric power and drinking water, which includes a section that transforms the power produced by renewable sources that can be used in electric power production systems of the stand alone type, comprising:

at least an inverter for DC to AC conversion,

batteries for storing electric power,

at least a charge controller, for controlling the electric power passage to/from said batteries, and

at least an electronic control unit,

and in which the above mentioned elements are housed inside a portable container, provided at least with: AC electric power input connecting means, DC electric power input connecting means, AC electric power output connecting means.

A combined apparatus according to the invention includes also a water treating system powered by the energy converting section and comprising inlet piping for water to be purified.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the elements of said apparatus are connected according to a three-phase wiring diagram to supply a three-phase AC output connection.

According to another different embodiment of the present invention, the components of said apparatus are connected according to a single-phase wiring diagram to supply at least a single-phase AC output. Advantageously, in this second embodiment, there is also at least a DC output. An apparatus as outlined above can be connected to a plurality of types of electric power sources, preferably renewable sources, and it transforms the input power so as to make it usable for various types of usages, both industrial and domestic. A main usage of the produced power is that of a water treating system, integrated directly into the apparatus. An apparatus according to the present invention is very versatile, since it allows to connect various types of power sources without the necessity of re-designing and modifying the system components at each installation and allows delivery of the electric power and drinking water in a continuous flow 24 hours a day in the areas not reached by the electricity mains. Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention is very practical, since all the components are housed in a single portable container, correctly set previously and connected one to another so as to make its installation very quick. Due to its compact structure, the pre-installed and pre-configured modules, and to the use of renewable sources for the power production, the combined apparatus of the invention is particularly suitable to be used in the distant regions of the planet, since its installation does not require skilled labour, its operation is completely automatic and it has no environmental impact.

Further characteristics of an apparatus according to the present invention are defined in the claims.

Advantageously, the combined apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules connected directly to the apparatus structure, so as to pass from a compact transport configuration to an extended, power production configuration.

The energy production by means of integrated photovoltaic modules, in an apparatus of the invention of medium dimensions, allows saving more than 10 tons of diesel fuel a year and to reduce the C02 emissions by more than 80% (for the production of the same amount of electric energy by motor generators of the conventional type).

According to another aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved by means of a method for managing the electric power produced by multiple power sources of different types in an apparatus for converting electric power comprising at least an inverter, electric power storage batteries and at least a charge controller for controlling the flow of electric power to/from said electric batteries, in which the apparatus is provided with at least an input connecting means for DC power produced by photovoltaic generators, at least an input connecting means for DC power produced by wind power generators and at least an AC power input connecting means, in which the method comprises a step of activating the flow of electric power from the above mentioned power sources for charging the electric batteries according to a predetermined sequence and a step of interrupting the flow of electric power by the above mentioned connecting means according to a further predetermined sequence, when the charge level of said batteries reaches specified values.

Due to the method of the invention, the activation and deactivation of the power sources for the batteries charging is determined depending on the type of the sources connected to the apparatus, thus optimizing the power production costs.

Further characteristics of a method for managing the electric power produced by a plurality of different types of renewable sources are defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the invention will become more comprehensible from the following description of embodiments thereof, given as non limiting examples, with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the component functional connection of a power converting section in a three-phase configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention, connected to various types of power sources;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the component functional connection of a power converting section in a single-phase configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention, connected to various types of power sources;

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a functional connection block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a combined apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a combined apparatus according to the invention, in a transport configuration;

Figure 6 shows the apparatus of Figure 5 in a working configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to fig. 1, reference numeral 100 indicates a whole power converting section of a combined apparatus according to the present invention; comprising electric power storage batteries 1 10, inverters 120a, 120b, 120c, for the conversion of direct current into alternating current, charge controllers 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e, to manage and adjust the power flow from and to the batteries, and a control unit 140, which manages the whole apparatus and in particular, the activation and delivery of power from the external energy sources. In particular, in this embodiment, the external power sources that can be connected to the apparatus are: three strings of photovoltaic modules Fa, Fb, Fc, each of which is connectable to a direct current input connector leading to one of the inverters, respectively 120a, 120b, 120c; a three-phase electric power generator G, connectable to a three-phase output of the apparatus, in which each phase leads to a charge controller, respectively 130a, 130b, 130c; a wind turbine E, connectable to a direct current input connector leading to another charge controller 130d; and a hydraulic turbine M, connectable to another direct current input connector leading to another charge controller 130e.

Between the batteries 110 and the charge controllers 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e there is interposed a fuse 131 to protect the batteries from overcharging, and a measuring element for the battery input current 132, which transmits this information to the control unit 140. The control unit 140 receives information also from the temperature sensors 1 11, associated to the batteries 110, from the controllers and inverters, and drives the controllers and inverters, the activation of the generator G and other power sources, and a direct current contactor 151, capable of disconnecting a three-phase line 150 to interrupt the current delivery to the three-phase external load, in case of overloads.

Actually, each of the inverters 120a, 120b, 120c is connected to one phase of the three-phase line 150, and supplies it with alternating current. Similarly, each of the charge controllers 130a, 130b, 130c is connected to one phase of the three-phase line 150. The three-phase line 150 leads to a three-phase output 160, which supplies power to a water treating system, of industrial type, and which can supply power, for example, to a three-phase asynchronous motor, widely used in many industrial applications. With this type of connection, the strings of photovoltaic modules Fa, Fb, Fc and the generator G can supply power directly to the three-phase external load or their power can be adjusted and re-converted into direct current by the controllers 130a, 130b, 130c so as to be sent to the batteries 1 10, where it is stored. On the other hand, direct current power produced by the turbines E and M is adjusted by the charge controllers, respectively 130d and 130e, and sent necessarily to the batteries 1 10. The choice of this type of connection is not binding and can be applied preferably when the wind or hydraulic power generators connectable to the apparatus of the invention cannot produce enough power that can supply directly the electric load connected to the three-phase outlet 160.

For example, the above described apparatus could include 8 batteries of 3,2 Volt, having the total capacity of 25,6 KWh. If a water treating system, which requires a 2 KWp power to work, is connected to the three-phase output, the batteries alone can power the engine for more than 12 hours. Suppose that only a photovoltaic field, having a 5 KWp total power, and a 1 Kw vertical axis wind turbine, as power sources, are connected to the apparatus, in the daytime the photovoltaic field Fa, Fb, Fc produces enough power to supply the electric energy consumption and to recharge the batteries, while the wind turbine E, whose maximum power is not enough to supply directly the electric energy consumption, is aimed only at recharging the batteries 110. Power sources having the above mentioned power, together with the batteries included in the apparatus, are capable of supplying power to a three-phase voltage user of the above mentioned power in a continuative way over 24 hours.

The generator G, which can be optionally connected to the three- phase input of the apparatus, could be for example constituted by a bio-diesel generator or a fuel cell generator, which could be useful in case of a long-lasting bad weather or malfunction of other power sources. Otherwise, the three-phase input could be connected to the electricity mains, if it is available.

Turning to Fig. 2, a second embodiment 200 of an energy converting section of a combined apparatus according to the present invention is described, which comprises electric power storage batteries 210, two three-phase rectifiers 220a, 220b, and an inverter 220c, to convert direct current in alternating current, a charge controller 230 to manage and adjust the power flow from and to the batteries, and a control unit 240, which manages the whole apparatus and in particular, the activation and delivery of power from the external power sources. In particular, in this embodiment, the external power sources that can be connected to the apparatus are: a string of photovoltaic modules F, connectable to a direct current input connector, which leads to the inverter 220c; a single-phase AC generator G', connectable to an AC output of the apparatus which leads to the charge controller 230; a wind turbine E, connectable to a direct current input connector leading to a rectifier 220a; and a hydraulic turbine M, connectable to another direct current input connector leading to another three-phase rectifier 220b.

Between the batteries 210 and the charge controller 230, there is interposed a fuse 231 to protect the batteries from overcharging, and a measuring element for the battery input current 232, which transmits this information to the control unit 240. The control unit 240 receives the information also from the temperature sensors 21 1, associated to the batteries 210, from the charge controller and inverters, and drives the controller and inverters, the activation of the generator G and other power sources, and a direct current contactor 251 , capable of disconnecting a single-phase AC line 250 and a DC line 270 to interrupt the current delivery to the external loads in case of overloads.

Actually, the rectifiers and inverter 220a, 220b, 220c are connected to the AC line 250, to which also the charge controller 230 is connected. The AC line 250 leads to a single-phase AC output 260, which can supply a water treating system as well as, for example, a single-phase AC engine or a plurality of home users. A power output 260 could be advantageously arranged to supply power to an electrolytic cell system for hydrogen production. In this way, hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources to supply power to users who cannot be supplied directly by the electric power produced by the apparatus.

A DC line 270 is connected to the batteries 210 and leads to a DC output 280, to supply power to DC users, such as, for example a single-phase engine.

With this type of connection all the external power sources can supply directly the users or they can contribute to recharge the batteries 210.

In an application example of the present embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus includes 8 batteries of 3,2 Volt, having the total capacity of 25,6 KWh. A photovoltaic field of 2 KWp total power and a 1 KWp wind turbines can be connected to the apparatus as power sources.

Obviously, the above specified power values are purely indicative and the apparatus can be scaled depending on the energy requirements. For example, if the apparatus is aimed at producing the electric power for overall requirements of small rural or urban communities, or for small industrial settlements, it could be scaled so as to produce and accumulate electric power enough to supply power over 5 KWp continuously, 24 hours a day. With reference to Fig. 3, the above mentioned elements of the energy converting section of a combined apparatus according to the invention, either three-phase or single-phase, are housed in a single portable container 301. The container 301 is advantageously constituted by a suitably insulated aluminium structure, provided with an access door 310 for maintenance purposes, a control panel 320, a panel 330 which houses input connectors, a panel 340 for holding output sockets.

The portable container 301 houses also the main components of the water treating system, so that the portable container 301 and all elements contained therein constitute a combined "stand alone" apparatus for power production from renewable sources and for water treatment 300.

With reference to the block functional diagram of Fig. 4, a preferred embodiment of the combined apparatus 300 will be described. A single-phase energy converting section 200 includes: a first DC conversion module, 220d, which converts the electric power coming from the photovoltaic modules F, usually of a voltage in the range of 300V to 600V, into direct current of a 24V voltage; storing batteries 210; charge controllers 230a, 230b and 230c; a second DC- AC conversion module 220e, which converts 24V direct current coming from the first conversion module 220d and from the batteries in 220V single-phase alternating current; and the control unit 240. The above mentioned conversion section 200 powers a water treating system 350, housed in the container 300. The treatment system 350 includes an inverse osmosis treatment section 360, a collection section 370, and a control unit 380. A pump P is installed in a well or in a basin which collects river, lake, lagoon, pond, sea and so on water, and the pump delivery is connected to a pre-collection compartment of a collection section 370, constituted by a vessel 371, divided into two separate compartments: a pre-collection compartment 372, and a treatment compartment 373. Water is taken from the pre-collection compartment 372 by a pump 361 of the inverse osmosis treatment section 360, and then it is pushed to pass through one or more osmotic membrane filters 362. The osmosed water is then brought to the treatment compartment 373, which houses one or more ultraviolet lamps 374, which carry on a further physical treatment on the water, by modifying the DNA and RNA of the microorganisms, which consequently cannot reproduce. The drinking water present in the treatment compartment 373 can be taken from a tap 375 and used or conveyed where necessary. The control unit 380 receives signals from the level indicators of the pre- collection compartments 371 and treatment compartments 372 and from the pumps P and 361 and consequently controls the pumps operation. The pumps P and 361, ultraviolet lamps 374, control unit 380 are powered by the single-phase alternating current produced by the photovoltaic modules F, stored by the batteries 210 and suitably converted in the conversion section 200.

The treatment system 350 carries on the water treatment only with physical means, which need to be powered only by the current supplied by the renewable sources connected to the combined system. Besides the advantages from the point of view of the organoleptic qualities of the treated water, the absence of the chemical treatments is particularly advantageous in the combined system of the invention, because it can work in stand-alone mode and completely autonomously for very long periods of time, which could not be possible, if replenishment of chemical additives stocks were necessary. In spite of the above mentioned advantages, the treatment system 350 in the combined system according to the invention could have different means for water treatment, even chemicals.

Further modifications with respect to what has been described could refer also to the same inverse osmosis system 360 and UV treatment system present in the apparatus.

For example, the inverse osmosis system could be provided with membranes for treating freshwater as well as membranes for treating brackish water and the passage from the ones rather than the others could be controlled and set by means of the control unit 380.

The water treating system integrated with the apparatus of the invention could also include suitable means for storing the treated water over time. The above mentioned means could be a "dispenser" type (according to which a certain amount of a chemical "maintaining" substance, such as sodium hypochlorite, is introduced into the water storing tank) or a "ioniser" type (according to which ionised substances are introduced into the treated water to ensure its preserving over time) or a "cathode" type (according to which cathodes, for example silver cathodes, present in the tank, allow to preserve the treated water over time).

Furthermore, if the system is scaled for the production of large amounts of drinking water, the tanks for containing water, treated or to be treated, could be external to the container 301, for example, formed by suitable masonry buildings near the place, where the apparatus is installed.

A particularly advantageous version of the combined apparatus 300 of the invention is shown in figures 5 and 6 and includes photovoltaic modules F integrated directly in the apparatus structure.

A support structure for photovoltaic modules 390, fastened to the upper part of the container 301 and including a plurality of rigid frames 391, which are hinged one to another so that the support structure 390 can assume a minimum overall dimensions configuration, shown in fig. 5, suitable for the transportation of the combined apparatus 300 and during its non-use periods, and a maximum surface expansion configuration, shown in fig. 6, suitable during the use periods, since the modules are oriented to get favourable sun.

To be precise, in the shown embodiment, the rigid frames 391 are connected one to another in three groups of three rigid frames. A first group 390a forms a central group, in which a second rigid frame is hinged to a side of a first fixed rigid frame with respect to the container 301 and a third rigid frame is hinged to the opposite side. Other two groups, that can be folded about the vertical side of the container 301, are hinged at the other sides of the first rigid frame. They can be extended so that a rigid frame is coplanar with the first central rigid frame and consequently, the two rigid frames hinged respectively to the two opposite rigid sides can in turn be extended* so as to reach the configuration of fig. 6.

The configuration of fig. 6 is particularly advantageous, because it creates a protected shadowed area, which can be suitably used, around the container 301. Although it can be transported easily, the dimensions of the container 301 could be large enough to present free spaces, which could house devices or machines powered by the outputs of the power converting section 100 or 200 of the same combined apparatus. In this way, for example, such spaces could house small electrical household appliances, such as field cookers or the like. Moreover, the container 301 could present also spaces that house power sources which could be connected to the conversion section input, such as electric bio-diesel generators or others. Obviously, the way, in which the support structure for photovoltaic modules is physically connected to the container 301, could be different from the one shown in figures 5 and 6. Actually, the structure could be a fixed structure with the panels in minimum overall dimensions configuration and with maximum surface extension, oriented in different way, or the structure could be adjustable with respect to the container 301, since it is supported by a sun-tracking system with one or two degrees of freedom. In addition, the support structure of the photovoltaic modules could be fastened to the container 301 in a removable way.

According to different embodiments, the combined apparatus of the invention could obviously lack the support structure for photovoltaic modules and could also be connected to systems that collect power from discontinuous renewable sources, already present on the premises, so as to obtain an intelligent management of the power produced, which gives great advantages of energetic efficiency.

According to a management method of the present invention, the control unit 140, 240 of the power converting section 100, 200 receives information from the elements of the apparatus and sensors associated thereto to control the electric power flow from and to the batteries, and in particular, to control the activation and deactivation of the various power sources connected to the apparatus according to a predetermined sequence.

According to a preferred application of the method of the invention, the control unit organizes the delivery of the electric power to the external users, preferentially with the energy delivered by the batteries. The external power sources supply predominantly the batteries. When the batteries exceed a specified charge level, the external power sources are switched off in a determined sequence, first the external mains connection and generators G, then the photovoltaic generators F, and finally, the wind and/or hydraulic power generators E and M. If one or more of the above mentioned power sources are not connected to the apparatus, the method provides the automatic passage to the subsequent energy source of the foregoing sequence.

When the battery is below a certain charge level, advantageously in the range of 40% to 50% of its capacity, the control unit will activate the external power sources according to an inverse sequence with respect to the one described previously.

Obviously, the control unit could also activate and deactivate the external power sources according to the criteria of the energy performance, efficiency and level of the apparatus, which are more complex with respect to the one described above.

Furthermore, the control unit 100 could be advantageously provided with remote communication means, such as GSM modules, satellite or of other type, so that all the above specified management functions, as well as diagnostic functions and/or servicing could be carried out remotely.

These and other versions or modifications could be applied to the apparatus of the invention and the related management method, remaining within the protective scope defined by the following claims.